Some Norwegian art-rock has also been gaining a lot of fans and critical acclaim worldwide - you've mentioned White Willow, but I'm especially thinking of Motorpsycho, Jaga Jazzist and Susanne Sundfřr.

Speaking of Norwegian Bands, I HAVE to mention Major Parkinson, one of my all time favorite bands. Seriously some of the most creative, fun, catchy song-based music I have heard. They have only released two albums so far but both are basically perfect, catchy from the first listen but still interesting dozens of listens later. They may have already peaked though, because their guitarist left and as far as I am concerned, he was a huge part of why they were awesome. So we'll see what the future has in store for them ...

I hate to say it, but Daniel Gildenlow's Pain of Salvation peaked around The Perfect Element / Remedy Lane in my opinion. And, all the original members are no longer in the band. But, I do still really enjoy their newer albums a lot. Gildenlow has yet to disappoint me and his albums are the ones I look forward to the most.

I actually don't like to think of a band as peaking or declining etc. I just think of new material as change, unless of course new material isn't "new" material, but rather rehashed ideas. But, to be honest, isn't that what most people are always complaining to hear more of? "I hope their next album sounds like (insert previous album here). I don't want to hear music that sounds too much like previous material a band put out. Bring on change!

I hate to say it, but Daniel Gildenlow's Pain of Salvation peaked around The Perfect Element / Remedy Lane in my opinion. And, all the original members are no longer in the band. But, I do still really enjoy their newer albums a lot. Gildenlow has yet to disappoint me and his albums are the ones I look forward to the most.

And, all the original members are no longer in the band ... except DG.

"People tell you life is short. ... No, it's not. Life is long. Especially if you make the wrong decisions." - Chris Rock

I hate to say it, but Daniel Gildenlow's Pain of Salvation peaked around The Perfect Element / Remedy Lane in my opinion. And, all the original members are no longer in the band. But, I do still really enjoy their newer albums a lot. Gildenlow has yet to disappoint me and his albums are the ones I look forward to the most.

And, all the original members are no longer in the band ... except DG.

I would like to say that Beardfish is absolutely at the top of their game. I am listening to their new album The Void nonstop in my car, and I highly recommend it. When it first came out, I did not get it since it was so different. It really hit me hard in 2013, and I think it could be their best. I am a relatively new Beardfish fan, but they have become one of my favorites.

Frequency Drift is just amazing and their last two albums should be in everyone's playlist. I think the new Riverside album is their best. The new Spock's Beard album is their best since Neal left the band. I think Kaipa deserves a mention for producing solid consistent output, and their last two albums are excellent. Anubis has a new album coming out and their two previous efforts are excellent.

I will second many of the obvious choices like Anathema, Big Big Train, Echolyn, The Flower Kings, White Willow, Sigur Ros, Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett, Sylvan, Gazpacho, and Marillion.

- There's a bunch of bands who've been chugging on for ages and who previously hadn't impressed me (or, going by ratings, the rest of the prog community) very much who at some point in the past few years suddenly got locked on to a good thing. Galahad, Big Big Train, Gazpacho, Phideaux from Doomsday Afternoon onwards, Final Conflict - I'd say all those guys are hot commodities right now.

- IQ have had a run of absolutely incredible albums since Ever, although when your run of top-notch albums lasts for over a decade I think it's past time to stop calling it a "peak" and start calling it a "plateau". Likewise, whilst I think Discipline's latest is incredible, it isn't really a peak because they've never produced a bad album.

While i like a lot on our list Rational Diet folded a couple of years ago with the former members becoming Five Storey Ensemble and Archestra. Antique Seeking Nuns have renamed themselves as Sanguine Hum and released two very good albums

While i like a lot on our list Rational Diet folded a couple of years ago with the former members becoming Five Storey Ensemble and Archestra. Antique Seeking Nuns have renamed themselves as Sanguine Hum and released two very good albums

Nice, I was wondering why ASN hadn't followed up their wonderful 2009 album. The Weight of the World is quite good, a bit more "streamlined" but the melodies are still rich. Five-Storey Ensemble is almost as good.

They say that Riverside is finally hitting their maturity, though I've loved everything they've released. I'll second Big Big Train (especially English Electric Part 1). Haken, also, is on the way up. Their next album (I hope) is gonna be killer---I don't even use that word!!

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